By Janet LAZIER

After gathering for the annual May installation chapter meeting, the mothers and daughters of National Charity League, Inc., Glendale chapter officially entered summer mode.  The new provisional members were welcomed, the chapter’s newly elected leaders for the 2014-15 year took the helm, and hefty gifts were presented to chapter philanthropies as a result of very successful fundraising during the past year.

Under the leadership of 4th VPs Ways and Means Kirsten Newquist and Suzann Cooper, funds raised through the chapter’s annual rummage sale, silent auction and opportunity drawing at the Awards Tea and Fashion Show and other efforts totaled $41,000 at the close of the 2013-14 year. On hand to accept three of the larger grants were Robert E. Myers, executive VP of Development and Simon Gee, manager of the Learning Center at Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services; Natalie Komuro, executive director of Ascencia, an organization which assists the homeless in Glendale; and Lisa Raggio, senior director of Community Services and Shellie Campbell, director of Summer Camp at YWCA of Glendale.

The balance of the gifts was divided among other NCL Glendale philanthropies including Union Station Homeless Services, Glendale Healthy Kids, Friends of the La Cañada Public Library, Door of Hope, United Friends of the Children, Disabled Veterans Charities, Special Olympics of Southern California and American Red Cross. This was in addition to budgeted funds pledged to the philanthropies for parties and other scheduled activities and chapter-wide events throughout the year.

Outgoing 3rd VP Philanthropy Paris Cohen said, “We deeply admire these organizations for providing valuable service to our local community, and wonderful learning experience for our members.” She noted that not only was this a banner year for chapter fundraising, but also mothers and daughters in the group provided a total of 9,245 hours of service to chapter philanthropies.

Outgoing President Rose Chan delivered her final address at the event held at the Thursday Club in La Cañada. She reminded members that one year ago, a fast moving rainstorm forced the hospitality team to hastily move the post-meeting reception indoors. As it turned out, this may have been a precursor of stormy times ahead for the chapter, which managed to weather the controversial closing of one of its most beloved philanthropies, Twelve Oaks Lodge. The chapter is still pursuing legal action in an effort to reopen the home, but in the meantime has found other charities for its members to support and serve.

Chan thanked her board for standing by her during the very unusual year and for embracing her theme, “One Heart, Many Hands.”

Gabriel Mendham and Linda Reisz were installed as the chapter’s new co-presidents in front of nearly 100 of the group’s members, as were the board members who will serve with them.  Under clear skies, the meeting adjourned to the patio for a social reception where guests enjoyed a meal catered by Los Gringos Locos.

  Janet LAZIER